Kathmandu. The number of contract and temporary personnel among the workforce working in the Nepal Insurance Authority has been found to be significant. Out of the 160 employees working in the Authority, more than 50 are employees appointed through contract agreements.
The employees appointed through contract agreements account for 31.25 percent of the total workforce. Due to the widening regulatory scope, the increasing presence of various specialized service providers, the added complexity with the expansion of insurance business, and the technical nature of insurance, the Authority needs skilled manpower in related subjects.
According to the Authority, 29 people are working in the central office among those appointed on contract. They have been appointed as underwriters, legal department, complaints, anti-money laundering, registration and invoicing, drivers, and office assistants. Among these, the work of insurance, legal department, complaints, and prevention of money laundering are sensitive work.
Similarly, a total of 21 more contract workers have been deployed in the provincial office. Among them are computer operators, drivers, and office assistants.
Since the authority is not able to appoint employees through regular posts, it is also appointing human resources through contract agreements for important and sensitive responsibilities. Many employees were appointed during the tenure of Madan Dahal, who last held the post of chairman for some time.
Insurance Authority Spokesperson and Executive Director Sushildev Subedi said that the authority can appoint human resources on contract only in the technical sector. ‘Currently, the contract manpower is only on the technical side,’ he said.
Subedi informed that there is a provision that manpower can be appointed only once a year with the consent of the Public Service Commission. ‘Permanent employees can be appointed with the approval of the relevant ministry,’ he said.
Subedi informed that all the manpower in the administration of the authority is permanent. However, another official of the authority told Insurance News that this is not actually the case.
